South Lakes gastropub wins award for exceptional front of house team

Published on
25 February 2019

The Punch Bowl Inn at Crosthwaite has won national recognition at The Estrella Damm Top 50 Gastropub Awards.


The specialist award is the latest in a string of accolades for the gastropub, which has been a customer of The Cumberland for just over two years. The award recognises the outstanding customer service offered by their front of house team. Each winner was voted for by a panel of top industry experts and celebrity chefs.

Owner Richard Rose, on winning the award, said: “We were over the moon just to be shortlisted amongst such fine establishments at such a great event, but to come home with the award is incredible.

“We consistently strive to provide an outstanding dining experience at The Punch Bowl and to do this, the quality of the front of house service must match the quality of the food coming out of the kitchen.

“All too often in the hospitality industry, the front of house staff don’t receive the recognition they deserve as the focus tends to be on the chefs. But they are both equally important, so I was especially proud to collect this one on behalf of the whole Punch Bowl team – it’s their award, not mine.”

Manager, Adam, says that working at The Punch Bowl is like working with friends and family. He added: “For the judges to acknowledge that we’re a ‘friendly, knowledgeable team with a sincere passion for the pub’ really hit the nail on the head as that’s what we strive to achieve every day and we couldn’t ask for anything more. We look after each other and reward each other at the Punch Bowl and we’re all genuinely happy to come to work.

“Good service is all about trust. People come to the Punch Bowl and trust they will be looked after and we all trust each other to deliver the best possible dining experience. The front of house team couldn’t do what we do without the kitchen team. We get a buzz from the kitchen team being passionate about what they produce and vice versa. As far as I’m concerned, the front of house award is an award for the kitchen as well. It’s a whole team effort.”

The Punch Bowl offers a cosy escape from the stresses of day‐to‐day life in a beautiful South Lakes setting. It blends the best of old and new, and serves a seasonal, locally sourced menu. Customer reviews tell of visitors being ‘blown away by the amazing service and incredible food’, and it’s this combination that makes the Crosthwaite gastropub a really special place.

Their reputation for food and drink attracts visitors from far and wide for an overnight stay in one of their nine luxury rooms, and provides a year‐round source of accommodation bookings.

Bob Bishopp, Head of Commercial Lending at The Cumberland, said: “Richard and Amanda at the Punchbowl Inn brought their business to The Cumberland a little over 2 years ago, since which time they have continued to win awards for their culinary skills and warm hospitality. The fact that they have now been recognised on a national stage at the Gastropub awards is testimony to their hard work and total dedication.”

“As a shining example of Cumbrian achievement, The Cumberland is very proud to be associated with the Punchbowl Inn and hopes that Richard and Amanda will continue to enjoy the success that they richly deserve.

“At The Cumberland, we are proud to support hospitality businesses and to see them thrive. That’s why this year, we are delighted to be sponsoring the Taste of Cumbria category at the Cumbria Tourism Awards.”